Accounting and Operations Associate

Organization Overview

Families In Schools (FIS) imagines a public education system where parents play a leadership role in their children’s learning and where students, particularly those farthest from opportunity, are set up to succeed in school and life.

Founded in 2000, FIS is a nonprofit statewide organization based in Los Angeles, California, whose mission is to ensure student success by building authentic partnerships between families, educators, and system leaders through capacity-building efforts for system leaders and parent-led advocacy. In 2024, FIS entered a new chapter, marked by new leadership and a clear, unflinching commitment to excellence and impact. In this new chapter, FIS brings greater innovation to family engagement by creating capacity for educators to authentically partner with families, more deeply centering the voices of families on critical system and policy decisions, and activating coalitions to drive local and state-wide campaigns powered by parent leadership.

Position Overview

The Accounting and Operations Associate will play a critical role in ensuring the financial health and operational efficiency of Families In Schools. This position is responsible for overseeing all financial transactions, including payroll, accounts receivables, accounts payables, and reporting on the organization’s actual expenses vs. budget. Additionally, the Accounting and Operations Associate will support other key functions, including human resources, information technology, and operations.

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Vice President of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

● Oversee, manage, and process day-to-day accounting transactions, including account reconciliations, general ledger, accounts receivables, accounts payable, journal entries, and all other related functions.

● Maintain and monitor internal controls to safeguard the organization’s assets.

● Ensure compliance with GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.

● Prepare monthly financial reports, cash flow statements, and financial schedules.

● Manage the grant funding process, including accounting for funds, preparing monthly billing invoices, and ensuring compliance with funding contracts.

● Prepare and analyze the organizational and departmental budgets against actual financial performance on a monthly basis.

Human Resources

● Assist in the hiring process, including preparing new hire materials and conducting orientation.

● Assist in offboarding employees as they transition out of the organization.

● Prepare and process bi-monthly payroll.

● Administer employee benefits, including health and dental insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

Operations and Information Technology

● Develop and execute contracts with vendors and other service providers

● Prepare all periodic federal, state, and local required filings for the organization.

● Collaborate with an external IT consultant to ensure the organization’s software and hardware technology needs are met.

● Maintain office equipment, including copiers and postage machines.

Requirements

About You

You have a deep commitment to educational equity and closing equity gaps.

Experience

● Minimum of a bachelor’s degree; major in accounting or finance is preferred.

● Three to five years of experience in accounting or finance.

● Advanced proficiency in accounting and reporting software, as well as Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

● Experience operating in a fast-paced environment with constant changes.

● Commitment to educational equity and social justice for low-income and communities of color.

● Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization.

Skills and Competencies

● Accounting Acumen: Possesses a detailed understanding of accounting concepts and practices.

● Analytical: Has strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

● Quality Management: Is extremely detail oriented and ensures accuracy in all aspects of work; has strong customer service orientation.

● Communication: Able to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal form.

Mindsets

● A deep commitment to Families In Schools’ mission and approach

● Collaborative: Committed to collaboration, teamwork, and accountability to oneself and others. Committed to building positive relationships with all agency stakeholders across levels, roles, and functions.

● Learning Oriented: Demonstrate an openness to feedback and a commitment to learning and improving.

● Flexible & Adaptable: Embraces change and ambiguity with a positive attitude. Willing to adapt to new situations, challenges, and information. Resilient in handling complex situations and environments.

● Action Oriented: Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment while maintaining quality attention to detail.

● Trustworthy: Ongoing use of good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all professional matters. High degree of integrity, strong work ethic, and commitment to the efficient and effective use of resources.

Benefits

Working at Families In Schools

Families In Schools fosters a mission-driven, collaborative work environment where teamwork, communication, excellence, quality, integrity, inquiry, and commitment to the community are highly valued. We provide employees with ongoing professional development opportunities through structured learning, training, and project assignments that maximize a diverse and high-functioning skill set.

Location: Los Angeles, California. Our organization works a hybrid schedule: one day in the office and four days virtually. We are open to a fully remote employee based in California who is open to traveling to Los Angeles ~1/month.

Salary and Benefits: The salary range for the Accounting and Operations Associate $60,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience. In addition, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

● Company-paid health insurance for employees and dependents

● Vacation, sick, and personal time

● 401K with employer match

● 10 paid holidays per year and a 5-day winter break during the last week of December